"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
The theme of believers’ standing in grace is a key focus in the New Testament, portraying the notion of being God’s creation in Christ Jesus for good deeds. The term “workmanship,” or “poiēma” in Greek, is where we get our English word poem. It’s like saying that just as a poem comes from a poet’s mind and creativity, a believer in Christ gets their character and standing from God. While it is true that the believer is essentially a completed handiwork of God, yet he is still in the process of transformation. This emphasizes the continuous influence of the Spirit in shaping believers through Christ’s work and the Father’s will.
The term “created in Christ Jesus” is an Aorist Passive Participle, emphasizing the spiritual development of believers in a way that reflects the language used in the original creation in Genesis (cf 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:24). It signifies a new spiritual creation brought to fruition through Christ’s redemptive actions, echoing the divine act of creation outlined in Genesis.
The strong emphasis on “for good works” highlights the importance of believers’ conduct as proof of their salvation, stressing the inseparable link between faith and actions. This emphasizes how salvation brings about a radical change, as believers are not only saved by grace through faith, but also for the purpose of doing good works, demonstrating a life of service and commitment to the household of faith.
Paul’s instruction regarding the apparent contradiction within the gospel aligns with his focus on the balance between grace and the believers’ actions. Although salvation is freely given through God’s grace, it requires continuous repentance and dedication to Christlike living. This challenges the misconception of a disconnect between moral performance and the gospel.
“which God prepared beforehand” – This powerful expression (from the Greek words pro and hetoimos, meaning “to prepare in advance”) is linked to the theological idea of predestination, indicating that His ultimate purpose is for all believers to become like Christ, as shown in Ephesians 1:4-5, 11. This term is found only here and in Romans 9:23. God chose a people to reflect His own nature. Through Christ, the Father has restored His likeness in humanity, as seen in Genesis 1:26-27.
In summary, the believers’ standing in grace highlights the transformative aspect of salvation, emphasizing the inherent link between faith and actions, grace and repentance, and the eventual goal of embodying Christ’s virtues predetermined by God. This theological truth emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the believers’ identity and their responsibility to mirror God’s attributes in society. Verse 10 seems to say that believers are likened to poems of God, with the Church as the epic, and Jesus Christ as the Hero of this composition. Every aspect of the Church revolves around Christ, who is both God and man, the mediator between God and humanity. His presence and glory are central to the Church, and every believer is imbued with His Spirit. This poem, with Christ as its Hero, should perpetually exalt His name and renown throughout the universe.
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